Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-24
THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.
Interviews on the Subject With Senator
Stanford and Colonel Crocker.
IS. u. can, March p

IS F. Call March 23d.
In order to elicit the opinion OF the rail
road men ON the subject of the personnel
of the Commission, a Call reporter inter-
viewed Senator Stanford last evening. In
answer to the reporters queries the Senator
said: II am not personally acquainted
with any of the gentlemen appointed by
the President, with the exception of Mr..
Morrison. l know him we'll, and believe
he will make good Commissioner. The
President, | know, has taken great deal
of trouble in order to get the most suitable
men for these positions, and his task has
been a pretty hard one. 1t is difficult to
find five men of the ability requisite to the
membership of this Commission who are
vet not interested in any way in railroad
ing. He might, for instance, find very
good man, suitable in every way for Com
missioner, but who might yet be dlsquall-
fed BY holding some railroad stock, or who
shipped goods by way of certain road.
There is another fact in this connection
also which bears strongly on the selection
of good men, and that is, that while good
Railroad Superintendent is worth from
$4,000 to $4,000 year, member of the
Interstate Commerce Commission receives
but 81 800. regret very much that Presl-
dent Cleveland has not selected repre-
sentative from the Pacific coast and few
DAYS before left Washington l called up
on him and urged the claims of this side
of the Rockies, on his consideration. He
appeared struck by my arguments on the
subject, but it is very evident that the pres
sure brought to bear upon him in the East
prevented our obtaining a representation.
This l regret very much, as the claims OF
California would have better chance of
recognition if we had some member of the
Commission who was acquainted with our
requirements and our trade
COLONEL cRocKERs OPINION.
Colonel c. F. Crocker said to the reporter,
in speaking of the Commission: am
not acquainted with any of the gentlemen
selected by President Cleveland, but know
ing that he has taken the greatest trouble
to secure the best men, have no doubt but
that the choice will prove acceptable.
Whether any of these gentlemen have been
connected with or are familiar with any OF
the transportation problems, l cannot say.
They may have been Railroad Commits
sioners. or have had dealings with rail
roads. but whether they were acquainted
with any of the nice problems of Compel
tive points, prorating, etc., | can't tell at
present. am glad that the appointments
have been made, however, for the reason
that many clauses of the new law are ex-
ceedingly obscure, and are capable of bear
ing a variety of interpretations. The tariff
of rates decided on at Chicago will be sub
mitted to them Immediately they are in
session, together with a variety OF other
questions from not only every railroad but
also from every State in the Union. The
question of giving free passes to the fami-
lies of railroad employees is one that re
quires immediate settlement. 1t had evil
IDENTIFY not been considered by the trainers
of the bill, and its absence leaves us in
somewhat of quandary. As far as giving
free transportation in this State, we are in
the same position as we were before its
passage, and can do as we please in the
matter 1t is only when road passes from
one State into another that it comes within
the structures of the law. We intend rig
orously to conform to it, however, though
there will be some considerable trouble
about it at first. On the Commission de-
ponds everything